Hydraulic machine



Sept. 17, 1929. MUTH 1,728,906

HYDRAULIC MACHINE FiledApril 20, 1928 HHHH Patented Sept. 17, 1929 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE HERBERT J'. MUTH, OF MILWAUKEEWISCONSIN, ASSIGNOR TO ALLIS-CHALME'BS MANUFACTURING COMPANY, OF MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN, A-CORPORATION OF DELAWARE HYDRAULIC MACHINE Application filed April a0, 1928. Serial No. 2z1,4s7.

The present invention relates in general to improvements in the art of hydraulics, and:

relates more specifically to improvements in the construction and operation of vertically disposed rotary hydraulic machines, such as reaction hydraulic turbines. An object of the invention is to provide an improved hydraulic machinewhich is simple, compact and durable in construction and eflicient in operation. Another object of the invention is to provide a hydraulic unit comprising a dynamo electric machine cooperating with a hydraulic rotor, wherein the various elements of the structure are suitably supported and are conveniently accessible for inspection, assembly or removal of parts. A further object of the invention is to provide an improved pit structure for hydraulic ma chines wherein ingress of water to thepit is effectively prevented. Still another object of the invention is to provide improvements in vertical hydraulic units wherein the casing structure of the hydraulic portion of the apparatus is supported independently of a dynamo electric machine associated with the ro-' tor of the hydraulic machine. A further object of the invention is to provide improvements in low head hydraulic turbine structures wherein the overall height of the unit may be reduced to a minimum, and wherein the supporting structures for thevarious elements may be formed relatively light but of sufficient strength to effectively perform their intended functions. Still anotheriobject of the invention is to provide improvements in pit structures for vertical hydraulic turbines, and means for eliminating leakage of fluid into the pits while permitting relative expansion and contraction of adjoining elements of the unit. These and other objects and advantages will appear from the following description. 1

A clear conception of an embodiment of the invention and of the mode of assembling, dismantling and of operating mechanisms constructed in accordance therewith, may be had by referring to the drawing accompanying and forming a part of this specification in whichlike reference characters designate the same or similar parts in the various views tion being taken between two' successiveclamping screws.

The hydraulic turbine installation specifically -illustrated in the drawing comprises'in general aconcrete setting 6 providing a support for a vertical reaction type hydraulic turbine and for an electric generator 10 direct connected to the turbine; and also providing an open inlet fiume 3 and a tail race 5 communicating with the inletand discharge, respectively 'of the turbine. The'hydraulic turhine is of well known construction comprising a rotor 21. enclosed within a casing and secured to the lower extremity of a main shaft 8, the upper end of whichcarries the rotor of the generator 10. The main shaft 8 above the turbine rotor 21 is surrounded by an annular series of inlet guide vanes 2 which when in open position, provide anannular series of passages for permitting the flow of water from the inlet flume 3 through the turbine rotor to the tail race 5 through a draft tube 4, in an obvious manner.

The draft tube 4 communicates with a lower endring constituting a part of the turbine casing, and providing a pivotal support 23 for the lower ends of the guide vanes 2. The guide vane'shifting ring 28 is also movably supported by the lower casing end ring, being adjustable in a well known manner. The upper ends of the guide vanes 2 have pivotal supports 23 in an upperend plate consisting of a'portion 24 extending transversely of the main shaft 8, and an annular flange 9 formed integral with the portion 24 and extending away from the guide vanes 2, the peripheral flange 9 being connected with the main body portion of the plate by a curved connecting portion; The upper or'cover plate may be fragmentary sectional the shaft 8.

The concrete setting 6 consists of a lower web 25 of reinforced concrete providing a direct support for the turbine draft tube 4 and for the turbine casing elements; and an upper web portion 26 of reinforced concrete providing a floor for the power house and also constituting a support for the electricgenerator 10 and for the elements associated therewith. An annular reinforced concrete wall 27 is secured to the floor portion 26 of the structure, and provides an inspection pit 7 surrounding the shaft 8 above the plate 9 and below the generator 10. The generator 10 is supported directly upon I-beams 13 'detach-' ably associated with the upper part of the annular concrete wall 27 which forms the pit 7, and this Wall may be provided with one or more inspection openings 12 as shown for permitting convenient access to the pit while the unit is assembled.

The flange 9 of the end plate is provided with a series of transverse openings 19 of sufiicient size to permit the disposition of clamping screws 18 thereinwhile at the same time permitting free vertical movement of the end plate relative to the screws 18. The screws 18 coact with a sealing ring 14 and with a channel bar 11, the channel bar 11 being of annular formation and having its flanges embedded in the concrete of the lower portion of the concrete wall 27. The'screws 18 serve to connect the end plate 9 with the ring 14 and the channel bar 11, and the ring 14 is rigidly attached to the channel bar 11 by means of rivets 20 as shown in Fig. 3. The joint between the flange 9 of the casing end plate and the sealing ring 14, is packed by means of an annular packing strip 17 which may be forced between the adjacent surfaces of the ring 14 and of the flange 9 by means of a packing strip 15 held in place by means of cap screws 16. The retaining screws 18 may also be provided with washers as shown, for preventing leakage into the pit 7 through the openings 19.

The diameter of the pit 7 is preferably sufficiently large, that all portions of the turbine structure may be removed upwardly through the pit, upon removal of the generator 10 and of the I-beams 13, the latter being so installed that they may be readily removed. The coaction between the end plate 9 and the sealing ring 14 is such that free relative vertical movement of these elements may take place, and that the turbine casing structure is entirely relieved from the weight of the generator 10 and the associated elements.

During normal operation of the turbine, the inlet guide vanes 2 are adjusted with the aid of the shifting ring 28, so as to admit water to the turbine rotor from the inlet flume 3, the Water being discharged to thetail race 5 through the draft tube 4 in a well known manner. The guide vane actuating mechanism for moving the shifting ring 28, is of Well known construction, being ordinarily located Within the pit 7 and being operable either by hand or by means of a governor.

It will be apparent that the telescopic connection between the turbine casing and the pit ring 11 permits free relative expansion and contraction of the turbine casing and of the generator supporting structure, without causing binding of the parts. The packing 17 effectively prevents ingress of water to the pit and may be readily adjusted from within the pit 7. Because of the relatively large formation of the pit 7, all of the turbine parts may be inserted and removed through the pit 7, and the height of the generator supporting Wall may be reduced to a minimum by virtue of the location of the pit 7 and floor 26 closely adjacent to the flume 3, thereby permitting reduction of the overall height of the unit to a minimum. The formation of the casing top plate of sheet metal, and the use of structural material throughout, reduces the cost of construction to a minimum while maintaining therequisite strength 'to insure rigidity.

It should be understood that it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact details of construction herein shown and de-' scribed for various modifications within the scope of the claims may occur to persons skilled in the art.

It is claimed and'desired to ters Patent: 1

1. In combination, a rotor, a casing for said rotor comprising an end plate, a wall cooperating with said end plate to form an in spection pit adjoining said plate, and a telescopic jointbetween said wall and said plate.

2. In combination, a rotor, a casing for said rotor comprising an end plate, a wall cooper,- ating with the periphery of said end plate to form an inspection pit adjoining said plate, and a telescopic joint between said wall and said plate comprising a packing and means for permitting relative movement of said plate and said Wall longitudinally of the rotor axis.

3. In combination, a rotor, a casing for said rotor comprising an end plate, a wall cooperating with the periphery of said end plate to form an inspection pit adjoining said plate, and an annular packing between said wall and said plate, said packing being adjustable from within said pit.

4. In combination, a rotor, a casing for said rotor comprising an end plate disposed trans versely of the rotor axis and having a peripheral flange extending along said axis, a'wall located adjacent to said flange, and'a telescopic joint between said wall and said flange.

5. In combination, a rotor, a casing for said rotor comprising an end plate disposed transsecure by Letversely of the rotor axis and having an integral peripheral flange extending alon said axis, an annular wall surrounding said ange, and a telescopic joint between said wall and said plate comprising a packing and means for permitting relative movement of said plate and said wall longitudinally of the rotor axis.

6. In combination, a rotor, a casing for said rotor comprising an end closure plate disposed transversely of the rotor axis and having an integral peripheral flange extending along said axis away from said rotor, a wall surrounding said flange and forming a pit adjoining said plate, and an annular packing between said wall and said plate, said acking being adjustable from within said pit.

7 In combination, a rotor, a casing for said rotor comprising an end plate disposed transversely of the rotor axis and having a peripheral flange extending along said axis, a wall located adjacent to said flange, a channel bar secured to the end of said wall, and a telescopic joint between said channel bar and said flange.

8. In combination, a rotor, a casing for said rotor comprising an end plate disposed transversely of the rotor axis and having an annular peripheral flange extending along said axis, a Wall surrounding said flange, a channel bar secured to the lower end of said wall, and a telescopic joint between said Wall and said plate comprising a packing and means for permitting relative movement of said plate and said wall longitudinally of the rotor axis.

9. In combination, a rotor, a casing for said rotor com rising an end plate disposed transversely o the rotor axis and havlng a peripheral flange extending alon said axis, a wall surrounding said flange an forming a pit adjoining said plate, an annular channel a bar secured to the lower end of said wall, and an annular packing between said bar and said flange, said packing being adjustable from within said pit.

10. In combination, a rotor, a casing for said rotor comprising an end plate having a peripheral flange extending along the axis of said rotor, a wall surrounding said flange, an annular channel bar secured to said wall, and a sealing ring disposed between said channel bar and said flange.

11. In combination, a rotor, a casing. for said rotor comprising an end plate having a peripheral flange extending along the axis of said rotor, a wall surrounding said flange, an annular channel bar secured to said wall, a sealing ring disposed between said channel bar and said flange, and a packing cooperating with said flange and with said sealing rm 1%. In combination, a rotor having a vertical axis, a casing for said rotor comprising a horizontal end plate having a peripheral flange extending upwardly from the plate, an

annular wall surrounding said flange and forming a pit above said plate, a generator supported upon said Wall, and a telescopic connection between said flange and said wall.

13. In combination, a rotor having a vertical axis, a casing for said rotor comprising a top plate having a peripheral flange, means for supporting sa1d casing, a generator direct connected to said rotor, independentsupporting means for said generator, and a telescopic connection between said flange and said generator supporting means.

14. In combination, a rotor having a vertical axis, a casin for said rotor including a top plate, means or supportin said casing, a enerator associated with sai rotor above sa1d casing, an annular wall roviding a support for said generator an forminga pit etween said top plate and said generator, said wall being supported independently of said casing supporting means, and a telescopic connection between said top plate and said wall.

15. In combination, a rotor, a casing for said rotor, and an annular wall providing an inspection pit above said casing, said pit being of suflicient size to permit free vertical passage of all portions of said casing and said rotor therethrough.

16. In combination, a rotor, a casing for said rotor, an annular wall providin an inspection pit above and adjoining sai casing, and a generator direct connected to said rotor and removably supported by said wall above said pit, said pit being of sufficient size to permit free vertical passage of all portions of said casing and said rotor therethrough.

In testimony whereof, the signature of the inventor is aflixed hereto. I I

HERBERT J. MUTH. 

